Iran-backed terrorists storm US Embassy facility in Yemen. They seize hostages, equipment, and force the evacuation of the staff.

  • Local reports indicate that at least 25 persons were abducted by Houthi militants supported Iran.
  • DailyMail.com was informed by the State Department that while a majority of the prisoners have been released, the US has ‘unceasingly been in its diplomatic efforts to save the remainder’
  • Houthi rebels seized ‘large quantities’ of equipment from Sana’a Embassy
  • Security concerns during civil war led to the closure of this compound in 2015.
  • The fighting continued for seven years, killing many more people. 










On Thursday, State Department confirms that Iran-backed Houthi rebels have overthrown the US Embassy in Yemen. They also held a number Yemeni employees hostage.

Biden Administration officials demand that the insurgents immediately vacate all property and release the personnel they have taken prisoner. 

‘We are concerned that Yemeni staff of the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a continue to be detained without explanation and we call for their immediate release. A spokesperson from the State Department told DailyMail.com that the United States had been relentless in diplomatic efforts to obtain their release.

According to the official, the vast majority of them were already freed but the Houthis continued to hold additional Yemeni Embassy employees.

“We also worry about the possible breach of the compound, which was used before our suspension in 2015 by our Embassy.” “We call upon the Houthis immediately to vacate this compound and return all seized properties,” they stated.

“The U.S. government continues its diplomatic efforts in order to secure the release and vacating our compound for our employees, through the assistance of international partners”

Middle Eastern outlets first reported that three Yemeni nationals linked to the US embassy were taken from one of their homes in Sana’a on November 5, according to a translation from the Middle East Media Research Institute. 

The US Embassy in Yemen (pictured) has been shut since 2015 over security concerns as the country was just beginning to plunge into a devastating civil war

Since 2015, the US Embassy in Yemen has been closed. This was due to security concerns. Yemen was only beginning to descend into civil war.

A man holds stands near a machine gun on a vehicle as Houthi rebels and their supporters gather for a celebration marking the anniversary of the birth of Islam's Prophet Muhammad in Sana'a last month

As Houthi rebels gather in Sana’a to celebrate the anniversary of Islam’s prophet Muhammad’s birth, a man stands close to a machine gun mounted on a car.

Houthi rebels and their supporters hold flags and posters of Shiite Houthi movement's leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi during the celebration

Houthi rebels, along with their support, hold posters and banners for Abdul-Malik al-Houthi (Shiite Houthi Movement leader) during the celebration

The kidnapping of 22 individuals who were mainly ‘participants on the security team guarding the Embassy grounds’ occurred three weeks before. 

According to MEMRI, Houthi rebels stole ‘large amounts of equipment and material’ from the Embassy on Wednesday. This is according to independent Yemeni media reports. 

The State Department spokesperson Ned Price spoke briefly about the hostage situation during a briefing this week. Officials then confirmed that they were attempting to rescue them.

Price expressed concern at reports that some local Yemeni staff members were being held in Sana’a. He called for their immediate release. “We have made unceasing diplomatic efforts behind the scenes to ensure their release.

‘We’ve seen some progress and we’re continuing to work this critical issue. The vast majority of detained persons are not in custody anymore. 

“We are committed in ensuring safety for those serving the U.S. Government abroad, that’s why we’re so active on this issue, through international partners.

According to the regional reports, three of the hostages are a former embassy employee who worked for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative, an economic official there and an employee of the United States Agency for International Development.

A Yemeni pro-government fighter is pictured during fighting with Huthi rebels on the south frontline of Marib, the last remaining government stronghold in northern Yemen, on November 10

Pictured is a Yemeni pro-government fighter during fighting against Huthi rebels at the south frontline in Marib on November 10, 2010. This was the last government stronghold north of Yemen.

Due to the unstable security situation in Yemen, the US Embassy was closed in 2015.

Since then, US diplomacy has been carried out from the Yemen Affairs Unit (Jeddah), Saudi Arabia.  

DailyMail.com reached out to Washington DC’s Yemeni Embassy for comments. 

Yemen’s conflict, which is now in its seventh decade, has forced the tiny nation into a humanitarian catastrophe that has claimed tens and thousands of lives, as well as forced millions to the brink. 

Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and other coalition members intervened after Iran-backed Shi’ite Islamic Houthi forces overthrew Sana’a’s internationally recognized government. 

Ali Abdullah Saleh was the Yemeni president, and he was at power for over two decades. His dictatorial regime fell during 2012’s Arab Spring demonstrations. 

The rebels overthrown the democratically elected government of the country and he was killed in the hands of the Houthi rebels.

The last remaining government stronghold, Marib in northern Yemen, has been roiled by conflict that killed 28 fighters from the pro-government Obaida tribe and seven government forces over the 24-hour period ending on Wednesday. 

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